Ho Hsin-chun and Chiang Chi-chen push infrastructure and industry upgrade amid Taichung mayoral race

The Taichung mayoral election enters its final, intense phase this Saturday, November 11. To engage holiday voters, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate He Xinchun and Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Chiang Chi-chin each held campaign rallies with city council candidates today. Beyond interacting with constituents in their respective districts, both candidates sought to broaden their electoral base by endorsing local council candidates from their parties in the concurrent city council elections. As a key city in central Taiwan with a population exceeding one million, Taichung’s economic and transportation development is a primary concern for voters, making this holiday campaign stop particularly crucial.

He Xinchun served as Taichung mayor from 2014 to 2018, a period during which she advanced multiple public infrastructure projects and social welfare initiatives. Running again under the DPP banner, she champions a governance philosophy centered on “people-first” principles. During her rally in Beitun District, she proposed accelerating the district’s transportation improvement plan, focusing on expanding the Beitun Expressway, adding dedicated bus lanes, and extending the metro line from Beitun to the city center. Given Beitun’s dense population and concentration of industrial zones, traffic congestion has long been a persistent issue; He aims to enhance regional competitiveness and residents’ quality of life through upgraded transportation infrastructure.

Chiang Chi-chin served as Taichung mayor from 2018 to 2022, representing the KMT. Today, at his rally in Nantun District, he focused on “industrial upgrading,” advocating for a model that positions Taichung as a city driven by a “dual engine” of high-tech innovation and green energy. Chiang stated he would optimize the investment environment in industrial zones, accelerate the integration of smart manufacturing and electric vehicle component supply chains, and establish an “Industrial Upgrading Fund” to support the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. This approach aligns with the KMT’s core policy emphasis on economic growth and echoes the central government’s long-term plans for energy transition and industrial modernization.

The two candidates present a distinct contrast in policy orientation: He Xinchun emphasizes public services and infrastructure, prioritizing improvements to people’s livelihoods, while Chiang Chi-chin focuses on economic competitiveness and industrial upgrading, seeking to drive urban development through technological innovation. As a major economic hub in central Taiwan, the mayor’s term will directly influence national economic structure and population dynamics. A victory for He could extend the DPP’s policy trajectory in the central region, whereas a win for Chiang would provide the KMT with a larger platform to implement its local governance and economic policies.

Additionally, the city council elections were held simultaneously today, providing candidates with an opportunity to court the support of local councilors. The majority composition of the council will determine the momentum behind future municipal policies, particularly in transportation and industry, where council cooperation is critical to policy implementation. Voters are advised to consider not only the personal charisma of the candidates but also the feasibility and practical impact of their blueprints for Taichung’s future development.

(Fact source: Central News Agency)